Households struggling with fruit flies during warmer months are being advised that a simple, low-cost solution using common kitchen ingredients could help tackle the problem. The method, which has gained popularity on social media platform TikTok, involves creating a homemade trap using items typically found in most cupboards, including washing-up liquid, vinegar and sugar or honey. Supporters say it can help reduce fruit fly numbers without the need for chemical sprays or specialist products.
The Viral Hack
The hack was demonstrated by TikTok user @Genevieve.levy.creates in a video that has racked up millions of views. She told viewers: “Kitchen hack - do you always get fruit flies in the summer like I do, even if you've got a very clean kitchen? Well this hack is a miracle and cheap with all things you will have in the cupboard.”
In the clip, she shows how to mix washing-up liquid, sugar or honey and vinegar with a small amount of water, before covering the container with cling film. Small holes are then pierced into the top, allowing flies to enter but preventing them from escaping. The widely viewed video shows the trap catching multiple flies, with many users praising the technique as both effective and inexpensive.
User Tips and Variations
Some viewers, while responding to the video, shared their own versions of the method, with some suggesting apple cider vinegar as a particularly effective ingredient. One commenter wrote: “This works great! Make sure to keep the rest of the kitchen or house clean and no food visible. The flies will only go to this.” Another added: “Apple cider vinegar works really well, I don't bother with the cling film.” Additional tips included placing corks under fruit bowls to absorb moisture, which may help deter flies.
Expert Advice on Prevention
According to pest control experts at Pest Solutions, fruit flies are typically drawn to areas where food is left exposed or beginning to spoil, particularly fruit and vegetables. Bins that are not regularly emptied or cleaned can also create ideal breeding conditions. “Cleanliness and good hygiene are important to prevent fruit fly infestations,” the company advised. “Keeping surfaces and bins clean and dry will remove breeding sites and reduce the risk of infestation.”
Experts also recommend storing ripe fruit in sealed containers or refrigerating it where possible, to prevent attracting insects. While the viral hack continues to circulate online, pest specialists stress that long-term prevention depends on consistent kitchen hygiene rather than traps alone.
